Outside Waterside Pool in Ryde and clearly visible from the road is an old boat, now used as a flowerbed. This boat, the ‘Vera Lynn’, has an interesting story. It was the vessel that was used in the opening sequence of the Dr Who series “The Sea Devils“. The Doctor and companion Jo are seen in the boat being piloted to a remote island to visit the Master.
The Sea Devils was first broadcast in six weekly parts on BBC1 from 26 February to 1 April 1972. it featured Jon Pertwee as the Doctor, Roger Delgado as the Master, and Katy Manning as Jo Grant. The series was filmed on and around the Isle of Wight and the Solent. We asked Katy Manning if she knew if this is indeed the actual boat used in the filming. She said “sorry no idea but if is it’s what a lovely way to end up !!”
The boat formerly belonged to Maurice Oakham, who was a boatman at Ryde.
Other than that, it’s just an attractive old boat.
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